Safety door lock and control for washing machine



Sept. 8, 1959 H. I. SHEFFER 2,902,850

SAFETY DOOR LOCK AND CONTROL FOR WASHING MACHINE Filed July 8. 1953 4Sheets-Sheet 1 r x 1959 H. 1. SHEFFER 2,902,350

' SAFETY DOOR LOCK AND CONTROL FOR WASHING MACHINE Filed July 8. 195a 4Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HARVEY .Z. JHE'FFER Sept. 8, 1959 H. I. SHEFFER2,902,850

SAFETY DOOR LOCK AND CONTROL FOR WASHING MACHINE Filed July 8. 1953 4Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR. fl/MVEY 1'. Jar/72w Sept. 8, 1959 H. l.SHEFFER 2,902,850

SAFETY DOOR LOCK AND CONTROL FOR WASHING MACHINE Filed July 8. 1953 4Sheets-Sheet 4 5 TOP INVENTOR. HARVEY .Z. JHEFFER 4 TOA'NE' Y6 UnitedStates Patent SAFETY DOOR LOCK AND CONTROL FOR WASHING MACHlNE Harvey I.Shefier, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The American Laundry MachineryCompany, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio,

Application July 8, 1953, Serial No. 366,670

1'1 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) This invention relates to improvements in asafety door lock and control for a washing machine of the drum type.

One of the objects of the present invention is to pro vide a novelcontrol for a washing machine of the type in which a perforated drum isrotatably mounted in a frame for use both as a washer and as anextractor. A geared-down motor is utilized for driving the drum at aslower speed for washing and a higher speed motor is used for the higherrotational speeds necessary for extraction. In the present embodiment,the output shaftsof these two motors are in axial alignment with clutchmeans for connecting or disconnecting them. In the control system, aswill later appear, the control member is operatively connected with thisclutch and movable when the clutch is engaged, to a position enablingthe energizing of the washing machine motor but disabling the extractormotor. Conversely, when the clutch is disconnected the control memberenables the operation of the extraction motor, while disabling thewashing machine motor. This control member has other functions toperform in the control system as will later appear.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novelcombination between a safety device which prevents unlatching of thedoor leading into the drum until after the drum has stopped rotating,together with a pressure fluid diaphragm utilized to control the doorand tied in with the control circuit so that air pressure is availableon the door closing diaphragm only when the door is completely closedand locked.

Another object of the present invention is to maintain a brake appliedto the drum at all times except when the door is closed and locked andthe starting switch has been actuated. Another object of the presentinvention is to provide a novel mechanism for controlling the latch boltwhich locks the door closed which gives access to the drum.

Further objects of this invention reside in. the control system wherebyall of the parts are readily and efliciently controlled and wherebymaximum safety is obtained.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a machineembodying my invention, certain parts being broken away to more clearlyshow the construction.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental view enlarged of the central portion of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the parts in anotherposition.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental sectional view taken alongthe line 55 of Fig. 4and showing how a hand wheel might be utilized for pressure closing thedoor'if the advantages of my pressure closing diaphragm are done awaywith.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental sectional view taken along the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a fragmental sectional view taken along the line 77 of Fig. 4,while i Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the control systern for myimproved machine.

no C6 .as a group. The output shaft of motor 5 drives a pulley 6 whichby means of V belts 7 drives a larger pulley 8 .on a shaft 9 which isrotatably mounted in the frame and carries the drum it} which iscommonly perforated.

The motor 11 is operatively connected with a geared down unit 11a whoseoutput shaft is axially aligned with the output shaft of motor 5. Theseoutput shafts are connected or disconnected by means of clutch means 12,the clutch here shown being of a standard multiple disc type. The clutchmay be shifted into or out of coupling engagement of the axially alignedshafts by means of a lever 13, the clutch being engaged when the leveris 20 at the left as shown in Fig. 1.

is journalled at both ends in bearings 14 and 15 on the front and backheads of the tub respectively. The drum is divided into two compartmentsby a horizontal partition and as usual with this type of machine, eachhalf of The shaft 9 extends entirely through the drum 10 and the drumhas a door opening in the front vertical head,

and these openings may be successively brought into registry with anaccess door 16a in the front tub head. The tub door 16a is carried bystud bolts 1'7 (Fig. 5)

which fit in suitable bores in a supporting member or ,arm 16, so that alimited movement of the door is permitted toward or away from the arm16. This arm is secured to a hinge shaft 18 which is journalled in ahinge lug 19 at the top and journalled in a horizontal plate section 2%of the tub head at the bottom. The door supporting arm 16 at its freeend is narrow and is pro vided with an inwardly extending horizontallyarranged section of rib 1617, which fits in a horizontally extendingslot of a keeper member 21 secured to the tub head 1a (Fig. 6). Axiallyaligned holes are provided in the keeper 21 and the rib 16b when thedoor is completely closed, so as to receive a vertically slidable latchbolt 22. An operating handle 27 is fixed on the bolt 22 and a helicalspring surrounds the bolt and is held between member 27 and a portion ofthe frame so as to urge the latch bolt upwardly toward locking position.In full locked position, the bolt 22 extends through both the upper andlower ears of the keeper 2.1 as well as through the door tab section16b. Referring to Fig. 6, it will be noted that the rear of the keeper21 is bored to receive a spring pressed cup member 21a which helps tostart the door open when the latch bolt is released. The bolt 22 passesdownwardly through a suitable opening in the frame section 2i) and hasits lower end flattened and provided with a pin 22a which fits into aslotted clevis 24a on the end of one of the arms of bell crank member24. This member is pivotally mounted on the front tub head at 24b, andhas a shorter leg 24c which is pivotally connected to a horizontal link25. Bored lugs 26 on the frame guide the link 25 for horizontal slidingmovement.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 7, opposite the left-hand end of link 25 is acircular disk 28 fixed on the hinge pin 18. A radially extending slot28a in this disk registers with the end of link 25 and receives thislink when the door is locked as shown in Figs. 4 and 7. When the door isunlocked by pulling the bolt downwardly by means of handle 27 as shownin Fig. 3, the end of link 25 is pulled out of slot 28a as shown in Fig.3 so that in any open position of the door, the handle 27 may bereleased and spring 23 will be unable to throw the latch bolt upwardlybecause the left-hand end of link 25 will engage the periphery of disc28. There is sufficient link 25 so as to prevent binding of this rod asit moves from the positions of Figs. 4 and 7 to the position of Fig. 3.When the door is fully unlocked as shown in Fig. 3 the upper end ofbolt; 22 still remains in the lower ear of the keeper 21, but is clearof the upper ear of this keeper and of course clear of the member 16b.When the door is open and the left-hand end of link 25 rests against thedisk 28, as previously described, the arrangement is such that a slightinitial return movement has allowed the upper end of bolt 22 to moveupward to where its inclined top end (see Fig. 6) will be somewhat lowerthan shown in Fig. 6 and will just protrude into the slotted part ofkeeper member 21. Then,

when the door is swung shut, the memer 16!) will cam bolt 22 downwardlyslightly, after which spring 23 will force the bolt upwardly to fullylocked position. When the door is fully unlocked, movement of the link25 farther toward the right than the position shown in Fig. 3 isimpossible because bracket 29 fastened to link 25 engages one of thelugs 26.

The door 16a is mounted for a small amount of move ment relative to thesupporting arm 16, as previously described. This is for the usualpurpose of applying additional closing pressure after the door ispreliminarily latched, to thereby seat the door firmly and avoid leakageof the cleaning liquor. A conventional way of applying this pressure isby means of a screw and hand wheel, as indicated by broken lines at 35in Fig. 5, and the present machine may be so equipped in some cases, aninside boss 16d being provided on the arm 16 which can be drilled andthreaded when used for this purpose. As particularly disclosed, however,and to obtain addi tional advantages of the present invention, the finalclosing pressure is applied by means of compressed air acting against aflexible diaphragm 36 which is fastened in a fluid tight manner to acircular rib section 16c on the inside face of the door supporting arm16, the space within this circular rib acting as an air chamber. Asshown in'Fig. 5, screws and a metal ring hold the diaphragm snuglyagainst the chamber wall edge or section 160. The diaphragm lies againsta dished portion of the door 16a, and when the diaphragm is deflated, itallows easy closing and latching of the carrier arm 16. A source offluid under pressure is supplied to the pipe 40 and the control of thisfluid is automatically determined by operation of the control systemlater described. Another interrelated control element is a switch 38mounted on the tub near the door 16a for operation by the door lockingcontrol mechanism as will be presently described.

A bracket or arm 29 was previously mentioned as connected rigidly to thelink 25 which operates the latch bolt 22. The lower end of this bracketconnects to a movement-sensitive locking device 30. This comprises abody portion 30a slidable in a bracket or guide 31 which is fixed to thetub front and inside of which is mounted a plunger 30b. This plunger hasa head behind which is a front portion adapted to slide in mating boreat the outer end of the body 30a. The rear stem section of the plungeris movable through an aperture in a transverse wall section 300 insideof the body 30a. The inner end of the plunger terminates in a smallseating member 30d which is normally pressed against the transverse wallby a spring 32 held within the hollow body 30a. This position of theparts is shown in Fig. 2. The outer end of the drum shaft 9 has securedto it by screws 33, a cap 34 having a concentric rim of suflicient widthto afford a contacting surface for the head of the Plunger 3012. Whenthe drum is stationary, the door may be locked as shown in Fig. 2 or itmay be unlocked as previously described. During this unlocking operationthe device 30 is moved to the right as a unit as seen in Fig. 3 untilthe plunger contacts the cap 34, after which the continued movement ofthe body portion 30a causes the front bore thereof to slide over thefront portion of the plunger 30b, spring 32- being thereby compressed.The edges of the plunger and of the bore where the shoulder on theplunger engages the front end of the bore (as seen in Fig. 4) areslightly rounded to avoid catching when the parts are operated as justdescribed with the drum stationary.

Fig.4 shows the operation of the device 30 when an attempt is made tounlock the door while the cylinder or drum It) is still rotating. Theparts can be moved slightly from the position of Fig 2, but then theplunger head contacts the rotating cap 34 and is tipped down out ofalignment with the hollow body 3011. Any further attempt at movementcauses the front edge of the body 30a to abut the shoulder onthe plungeras shown in Fig. 4, thereby preventing further movement of the doorunlocking linkage. At this point, the lock bolt 22 has moved out of thebore of the upper half of the keeper 21, but is still in full lockingrelation between the door tab 16b and the lower half of the keeper asshown in Figs. 5 and 6. Also, the end of the link 25 is still inside ofthe slot 28a in the hinge disc 28 as previously described. Even a slowrotation of the container will prevent unlocking of the door since onlya slight tipping of the plunger 30b is necessary to bind the parts inthe position of Fig. 4. Since the shoulder portion of the plunger 30];is normally a short distance out in front of the leading edge of thebody 30a, there is always time for the plunger to tip to the position ofFig. 4 while the body portion is approaching. A cover 37 encloses thismechanism.

The switch 38 is mounted on the front of the tub with the actuator 38ain line with a portion of the parts 29 and 30 so that movement of theseparts toward the left corresponding to fully locked position of the door16a as shown in Fig. 2 will push the actuator 38a toward the left andmove the switch 38 to its left-hand position as shown in full lines inFig. 8. In any other position of the parts 29 and 30 except fully lockedposition of the door, the same parts do not contact the actuator 38a andthe switch 38 is normally in its righthand position impelled thereto bya spring to the dotdash position shown in Fig. 8.

A brake is provided for normally resisting rotation of the drum 10, andfor efficiency and adaptability to automatic control, a standardhydraulic automobile type brake has been shown as employed for thispurpose. This brake 39a is mounted on the rear tubhead 11) and thesebrake shoes 39a act against a brake drum 39 on the driven pulley 8. Aspring 3% normally retracts the shoes from contact with the drum 39. Ashoe operating cylinder 41 is provided for applying pressure of thebrake shoes against the drum. This cylinder is connected by tubing 42 tothe master cylinder 43, The operating plunger of this cylinder is inturn connected to a small air cylinder 44 fixed on the main frame andconnected by pipe 45 to the outlet of a standard combination air valve46 which is normally exhausted in its unactuated position as shown inFig. 8. This valve 46 as shown is actuated by a solenoid 47. The inletof the valve 46 connects to the pressure fluid supply 40 as previouslymentioned. A similar solenoid-controlled valve 48, normally in exhaustposition, and controlled by solenoid 49, supplies air to the airpressure chamber of the door sealing diaphragm 36 through a tube 50 asshown in Fig. 8.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 8, a two-position switch 51 is shownoperatively connected with the clutch shifting lever 13. This switch isshown in Figs. 1 and 8 in the position corresponding to the clutch 12engaged in connecting the shafts between the motors 11 and 5. Movementof lever 13 toward the right in Fig. 1 to disconnect the clutch movesthe switch 51 of Fig. 8 toward its left-hand or dot-dash position.Another control element is a vibration responsive switch 52, shown inFig. 8, which is normally closed type of switch having its operating armconnected to a cord or wire 53 which is connected at its other end totheupper end of a bracket 54. This bracket is mounted near the top of themachine frame a's'shownin Fig. 2. A weight 55 on this cord tends, byinertia, to remain stationary. Since the device is mounted near the topof the machine, it is subjected to the maximum amplitude of vibrationfrom unbalanced loads occurring during the extraction cycle, and therelative lateral motion between the weight 55 and the bracket and switchwill; at a known value of vibration, pull the switch arm enough to openthe normally closed contacts. This breaks the motor control circuit formaintaining the operating circuit for extractor motor as will laterappear.

Certain control buttons, such as the inching buttons A 'and B and thestart and stop switch buttons are mounted near the top of the machine asshown in Fig. 2. A timer T is also mounted here and a warning light 101.

Since this machine may be employed according to any desired washingsequence or formula, such as one or more suds baths, extraction, rinseand extraction, etc., therebeing the usual liquid supply means 91, drainvalve 92 and'supplies door 94, as well as other supplementary formulacontrol, thermometer 95 and other equipment are" provided as desired.

The control system of this machine is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8and starting with the machine idle,

the operation thereof is as follows:

1 With the electrical supply for the electrical system of Fig. 8 cut offat a main switch or, as here shown, with the'circuit open at a switchsuch as that shown at 56, the control elements are in the conditionindicated in Fig. 8 in full lines. Closing of the switch 56 to put themachine into preliminary condition for operation would set the brake 39aby energizing the solenoid 47 of the air valve 46. This is true whetherthe door 16a is open or closed, and with the clutch 12 in eithereng'aged or disengaged position. ;With the parts as here shown, there iswith the door closed and the clutch engaged circuit from L1, line 57,left contact of door switch 38 lines 58, 59, a normally closed contactor 60 in the extractor motor contactor E, line 61 solenoid 47, line s62, 63, normally closed upper contact of relay CR, lines 64, 65,right-hand contact of clutch switch 51, and lines 66, 67 to L2.

The door pressure control air solenoid 49 is not ener- 'g'ized atthistime, so that there is no air pressure on the door-diaphragm 36 as yet.The operator would now 'o'pen'the door 16a and, if one of the drumcompartments did not already have its door in registry with the tub door1 6a,' the operator would inc the container or drum 9to such a position.This is done by depressing both of the push buttons A and B, making acircuit from L1, line 57, right-hand contact of door switch 38, line 68,69, upper contacts of inching switch A, line 70, inching switch B, line71, 72, the coil of washer motor forward contactor WF, lines 73, 65,clutch switch 51, and lines 66; and 67 to L2. This actuates the motorcontactor switch controlled by the solenoid WP and closes the three wirecircuit to the washer motor 11 so long as the inch buttons A and B areheld depressed. The brake 3911 remains set during the inching operation.

I With the compartments of the drum loaded, the operator closes the tubd-oor 16a, and the safety device 30 moves the switch 38 back to its leftcontact or to thefull line positionshown in Fig. 8. The machine is nextset into operation by depressing the start switch button. This completesa circuit from L1, line 57, door switch 38, lines 58, 74 upper contactsof the start switch, lines 75, 76, 77, stop switch, line 78, vibrationswitch 52, line 79, the coil of the relay CR, and lines 80fand 67 to L2.Energization of the relay CR closes the normally. open bottom contactsthereof and opens the normally closed upper contacts thereof. Thiscompletes aholdingcircuitfrom L1, switch 38, line 58, lower contacts ofrelay CR, 1ines81, 82, stop switch, line 78,

vibration switch 52, line 79, controlling coil of relay CR, and linesand 67 to L2. The opening of the normally closed upper contacts of therelay CR breaks the previously described circuit to the brake controlsolenoid 47, releasing the brake. Closing of the lower contacts of therelay CR energizes the solenoid 49 of air valve 48, admitting compressedair to the door closing diaphragm 36. This circuit is from L1, line 57,switch 38, line 58, lower contacts of relay CR, lines 81, 82, 77, 83,solenoid 49 and lines 84 and 67 to L2.

The washing motor 11 is also started by this closing of the lowercontacts of the relay CR. This circuit runs from L1, line 57, doorswitch 38, line 58, lower relay contacts of CR, lines 81, 82, 77, 76,lower contacts of inch switch A, lines 85, 86 to reverse and forwardcontrolcontacts, respectively, of a reversing control X (see Fig. 8),and line 87 to the small reversal control motor RM. In the positionshown in Fig. 8, the operating cam of this reversing control is in itsneutral position, but when the motor RM starts, it closes one or theother of the two sets of contacts, say, in this instance, the lefthandset. The reversal control motor circuit is completed by lines 88, 89,65, clutch switch 51 and lines 66 and 67 to L2. The circuit through theleft-hand contacts of the reversal control continues by line 90 to thewasher motor reverse contactor coil WR, then by lines 73, 65, clutchswitch 51 and line 66 and 67 to L2. This causes the motor contactorcontrolled by coil .WR to close a three wire circuit to the washingmotor 11 to cause reverse rotation. The reversing control will of coursesubsequently break that circuit and complete one through its right-handcontacts to line 72, forward contactor coil WF, line 73, 65, clutchswitch 51 and line 66 and 67 to L2.

Thus, it will be readily seen that opera-ting the starting switchbutton, releases the brake 39a, actuates the door pressure diaphragm 36,and starts the drum 10 in reversing washing rotation.

Upon completion of the washing operation, it is as sumed that themachine will next go into an extraction operation. The drum may bestopped first or it may go directly to extraction. In the latter case,with the machine still operatingat washing speed, the operator sets aclock type timer T for the desired extraction time. This timer isnormally at zero position as shown in Fig. 8, holding a two-positionswitch 96 on its right-hand contact. Now the setting of the timerindicator counterclockwise in Fig. 8 will allow the switch 96 to move toits left-hand contact. This makes a partial circuit from L1, line 57,door switch 38, line 58, lower contacts of relay CR, line 81, switch 96,line 97 to coil E of extractor motor contactor switch which is normallyopen, lines 98 and 99 to the left-hand contact (still open) of clutchswitch 51. Now when the clutch 12 is shifted by means of its lever 13 todisconnect the washing and extraction motors, the above circuit iscompleted through switch 51 (in its left-hand or dot-dash position ofFig. 8) and line 66 to L2, the contactor switch controlled by coil Ethereby closing the normally open three wire circuit to the extractormotor 5. Also, the shifting of the clutch 12 breaks the washer motorcontrol circuit at the righthand contact of switch 51.

7 When the timer T has goneback to Zero position, it opens up theleft-hand contact of switch 96 and thus breaks the extractor contactorswitch circuit through coil E, deenergizing motor 5. At the same time, acircuit is completed to set the brake shoes 39a independently of therelay CR, due to the closing of normally closed contact 60 in theextractor contactor. This circuit goes from L1, line 57, door switch 38,lines 58, 59, switch contact 60, line 61, brake valve solenoid 47, lines62, 100 and 99 to clutch switch 51, through left-hand contact and line66 and 67 to L2.

' At the same time, a signal lamp 101 lights, the circuit being from L1,line 57, switch 38, line 58, lower contacts 7 of relay CR, line 81,timer switch 96, line 102, lampltll, lines 103, 100, 99, clutch switch51 and lines 66, '67 to L2.

The drum 10 may-then be allowed to come to rest, or another washing orrinsing step follows, the clutch 12 may be shifted to engage thewashingmotor output shaft after the drum has slowed down sufliciently.In this latter case, the shifting of the clutch causes switch 51 to moveback to its right-hand contact, while breaking the left-hand contact.This opening of the left-hand contact breaks the previously tracedcircuit to the brake solenoid 47 and to the signal light 101,'and theclosing of the righthand contact of switch '51 reestablishes thepreviously described washer motor control circuit.

If the extraction operation was the end of the cycle, the cylinderbrakes to a stop. Now, although there is no rotation of safety devicecap 34, it is still not possible for the operator to move the doorhandle 27 downwardly .so as to unlatch the door lock bolt 22, becausethe air pressure in the door diaphragm chamber acting on diaphragm '36is pressing the door support frame .16 outwardly and this binds thelatching projection 16b and the latch bolt 22 in the keeper 21. It isfirst necessary to release the air pressure back of diaphragm 36 byoperating the stop button switch. This breaks the previously tracedholding circuit for relay CR, and the opening of the lower :contacts ofthis relay breaks the previously traced circuit to the air valvesolenoid 49. It also turns olf the :signal lamp 101, but the brake 39aremains applied or set. The door 16a can now be opened.

If, after the extraction was terminated by the timer T, the machine wasonce again put into washing .speed by shifting the clutch .12, thesignal lamp 101 would .go out as the clutch switch 51 moved away fromits left-hand contact and, the original wash motor circuits :beingreestablished, the machine would, if desired, be stopped and openedafter this step although this would not be a usual sequence. In thiscase, the rotation of the drum 10 would be stopped by operating the stopswitch button, which breaks .the holding circuit for relay :CR whereuponthe lower contacts of that relay would open, breaking the wash motorcontrol circuit. The closing of the upper relay contacts of CR againcompletes-a circuit as before traced through the normally closed contact60 of'the contactor controlled by the-solenoid E, the air brake solehold47, line 62, line 63, the normally closed upper contacts of CR, lines64, 65, right-hand contact of clutch switch 51, and line 66, 67 to L2.Also, opening of the relay CRreleases the door diaphragm as previouslydescribed.

It has been .noted that the pressurediaphragm 36cm the door acts asanother lock inthat it binds the latch bolt in position so that the samecannot be withdrawn. This provides a supplementary safety feature. Toallow the door handle 27 to be moved at all, the lock-ingfPressure mustfirst be relieved on diaphragm 36 by operating the stop button and this,additionally, applies the brake shoes 39a. Thus, the safety device 30has the associated features of not even being subject to manipulationunless the drum 10 is being braked at the same time.

Referring back to the vibration switch .52, it will be noted that themaintaining circuit for holding relayCR in its actuated position by itsmaintainingzcoil includesswitch 52 in its closed position as shown inFig. 8. .It will have been noted that the circuit for energizing :the'contactor E for motor 5 includes the lower contacts of relay CR in itsactuated position. When the extractor motor 5 is rotating the drum athigh speed, unbalanced loads will cause excessive vibrations. If thevibration is suficientlyrgreat, it breaks the connection through switch52 to momentarily open the maintaining circuit for the relay CR whichwill thus open the relay energizing motor 5 and cause this motor tocoast-to'a stop unless it isrestarted immediately. The opening of therelay contacts CR, also causes the brake to be applied through a circuitfrom L1, line '57, door switch 38, lines 58 and 59, contact 60, line61,air valve solenoid 47, linestiz, 100,-'-99,clutch switch 51 and 8 lines66, '67 to L2. The operator must then push the start button to restartthe extractor motor 5. Obviously, if the materials in the drum do notrearrange themselves upon restarting, the excessive vibration will occuragain until the operator does something about it.

What I claim is: v p

1. In a washing machine including, a frame, a perforated drum rotatablymounted in said frame for use as a washer and as an extractor, firstmotor means'having a first output shaft for .drivi ng'said at a lower:speed for washing, and second motor means having-a second output shaftfor driving'said drum at .a higher speed for extracting; the combinationtherewith of means drivingly connecting said second output shaft andsaid drum, clutch means having first and second positions connecting anddisconnecting said first and second output shafts respectively, andcircuit means for energizing said first and second motor means includinga control member operatively connected with said clutch means andmovable thereby to first and second positions corresponding respectivelyto first and second positions .of said clutch means, said member infirst position enabling said energizing circuit for .said first motormeans and disabling said energizing circuit for said second motor means,and said member .in second position enabling said energizing circuit forsaidsecond .motor means and disabling said energizing circuit for saidfirst motor means.

2. .In a rotatable drum device including a frame, a hollow rotatablymounted in said frame and adapted to work upon objects placed withinsaid drum, a door mounted on said. frame .and providing access to thehollow of said drum, means for rotating said drum, .a latch bolt movablymounted on said frame between door holding and release positions and:coact-ing with said door in closed position to hold said door closed;the combination therewith of .fluid pressure responsive means positionedbetween said frame and the outside of said door for holding said doortightly closed, .a source of pressure fiuid having communication saidpressure responsive means, a control device for opening and picsin-gsaid communication, and ,means operatively connected ,with said controldevice and with said latch bolt for opening said communication only whensaid latch bolt is in door holding position.

3. in a rotatable drum device including :a iframe, a hollow drumrotatably mounted in .saiddframe and adapted to work upon objects placedwithin said drum, a door mounted on said frame and providing access to.the hollow of said drum, means for rotating said drum, a latch boltmovably mounted on said frame between door holding and release positionsand tcoacling with said door in closed position to :hold said doorclosed; the combination therewith of fluid pressure responsive meanspositioned between said frame and the outside of said door for holdingsaid door tightly closed, a source of.

pressure fluid having communication with said pressure responsive means,.a control device for opening and closing saidcommunication, a controlmember controlling energization of said drum rotating means, .and meansoperatively connected with said control member and said control deviceforopening said-communication only when said control member is inrotation means aenergizing position. V

4. In a rotatable 'drum device including a frame, a hollow drumrotatably mounted in saidzframeand adapted to work upon objects placedwithin .said drum, .a door mounted on said frameandproviding-access tothe .hollow of said drum, ;1neansfor rotating saidxdrum, a latch boltmovably mounted on said frame zbetweenldoorlhold ing and :releasepositions and .coacting' .with said .door in closed position :to holdsaid door closed; the combination therewith of fluid pressure responsivemeans positioned between said frame -and"the 'out side of saiddoor forholding :said door tightly closed, 'a source ofpressurc fluid havingcommunication with said pressure respon sive means, a control device foropening and closing said communication, a control member controllingenergization of said drum rotating means, a brake operatively associatedwith said drum to resist rotation thereof and having set and releasedpositions, means operatively connected with said control device and withsaid latch bolt for opening said communication to inflate said pressureresponsive means only when said latch bolt is in door holding position,said pressure responsive means then binding said latch bolt againstrelease, and control means for simultaneously causing movement of saidcontrol member to rotating means deenergizing position and for causingclosing of said communication and deflation of said pressure responsivemeans.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein both of said motor means areelectrically energized, electrical relay means having normal andactuated positions, an electrical circuit for causing initialenergization of said first motor means and including a coil of saidrelay means, an electrical circuit for holding said first named circuitand including the contacts of said relay means in actuated position, afirst motor means operating circuit including the contacts of said relaymeans in actuated position and said control member in said firstposition, and a second motor means operating circuit including thecontacts of said relay means in actuated position and said controlmember in said second position.

6. The combination of claim 5 including a brake operatively associatedwith said drum to resist rotation thereof and having set and releasedpositions, and electrical circuit means for causing movement of saidbrake to set and to released position including the contacts of saidrelay means in normal and actuated positions respectively.

7. The combination of claim 6 including electrical circuit meansindependent of said relay means for causing movement of said brake toset position including said control member in said second position andswitch means responsive to deenergization of said second motor means.

8. The combination of claim 1 including a door safety control memberoperatively connected in both of said energizing circuits, said safetycontrol member having a position corresponding to the door closedwherein it enables energization of both of said circuits, and saidsafety control member having another position corresponding to the dooropen wherein it prevents energization of both of said circuits.

9. In a rotatable drum device including a frame, a hollow drum rotatablymounted in said frame and adapted to work upon objects placed withinsaid drum, a door mounted on said frame and providing access to thehollow of said drum, means for rotating said drum, a latch bolt movablymounted on said frame between door holding and release positions andcoacting with said door in closed position to hold said door closed; thecombination therewith of safety means comprising a disc operativelyconnected with said drum for rotation by drum rotation, a feeler mountedon said frame for movement between a free position and a disc-engagingposition, said feeler being operatively connected with said latch boltfor movement to an extended position when said door is held and to aretracted position when said door is released, said operative connectionmoving said feeler into engagement with a rotatable portion of said discas said bolt is moved toward door release position, said feeler havingparts carried by disc rotation into position preventing movement of saidfeeler to its retracted position, fluid pressure responsive meanspositioned between said frame and the outside of said door for holdingsaid door tightly closed, a'source of pressure fluid havingcommunication with said pressure responsive means, a control device foropening and closing said communication, a control member controllingenergization of said drum rotating means, a brake operatively associatedwith said drum to resist rotation thereof and having set and releasedpositions, means operatively connected with said control device and withsaid latch bolt for opening said communication to inflate said pressureresponsive means only when said latch bolt is in door holding position,said pressure responsive means then binding said latch bolt againstrelease, and control means for simultaneously causing movement of saidcontrol member to rotating means deenergizing position and for causingclosing of said communication and deflation of said pressure responsivemeans and for causing actuation of said brake to set position.

10. In a washing machine including a frame, a hollow drum rotatablymounted in said frame and adapted to Work upon objects placed withinsaid drum, a door mounted on said frame and providing access to thehollow of said drum, means for rotating said drum, a latch bolt movablymounted on said frame between door holding and release positions andcoacting with said door in closed position to hold said door closed; thecombination therewith of safety means comprising a disk operativelyconnected with said drum for rotation by drum rotation, a feeler mountedon said frame for movement between a free position and a disk-engagingposition, said feeler being operatively connected with said latch boltfor movement to an extended position when said door is held and to aretracted position when said door is released, said operative connectionmoving said feeler into engagement with a rotatable portion of said diskas said bolt is moved toward door release position, and said feelerhaving parts carried by disk rotation into position preventing movementof said feeler to its retracted position.

11. In a washing machine including a frame, a hollow drum rotatablymounted in said frame and adapted to work upon objects placed withinsaid drum, a door mounted on said frame and providing access to thehollow of said drum, means for rotating said drum, a latch bolt movablymounted on said frame between door holding and release positions andcoacting with said door in closed position to hold said door closed,safety means operatively connected with said drum and responsive to drumrotation for preventing withdrawal of said bolt from door holdingposition while said drum is rotating, and including fluid pressureresponsive means positioned be tween said frame and the outside of saiddoor for holding said door tightly closed; the combination therewith ofa source of pressure fluid having communication with said pressureresponsive means, a control device for opening and closing saidcommunication, and means operatively connected with said control deviceand with said latch bolt for opening said communication only when saidlatch bolt is in door holding position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re.15,125 Lindquist et a1 June 14, 1921 1,236,530 Balzer Aug. 14, 19172,135,685 Wells Nov. 8, 1938 2,176,954 Clark Oct. 24, 1939 2,261,936Johnson Nov. 11, 1941 2,283,612 Perry May 19, 1942 2,321,641 AndersenJune 15, 1943 2,325,406 Johnson July 27, 1943 2,511,793 Telbizolf June13, 1950 2,540,168 Kahn Feb. 6, 1951 2,561,119 Horvath July 17, 19512,574,251 Dinley Nov. 6, 1951 2,655,241 Hultberg Oct. 13, 1953

